Automatic gear-shifting mechanism.



F S. DENNEEN.

AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12- I913.

M v M w m )T 3w 8 1 n4 mm m 5 m3 m m WU com o E. S. DENNEEN. AUTOMATIC GEAR smnmc MECHANISM.

AF PLQCATION FILED SEPT. IZI I9l3.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

. 3 SHEETS-SHEET2- F. S. DENNEEN. AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I2. 1913.

1,218,750. .Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3'- NEUTRAL- Elwuantoz FRANCIS S. DENNEEN, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC GEAR-SHIFTING MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Application fileil September 12, 1913. Serial No. 789,415.

To all whom it may concern:

lie it ltnown that 1, FRANCIS t5. Dunn-mm, a citizen of the United States of American residing at, Detroit. in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented eertain new and useful. Imm'ovements in Auto matie (tear-\hit'ting .h'lW'lHllllSllL of which the following in a specification, reterenee being had therein to the zuzeompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an automatic gear shifting meehanism especially adapted tor automobiles and other motor driven vehicles, and the obje ts of mv invention are:

First. to eliminate the ordinar v hand open ated lever for shifting gears of a motor car therchv rcr luein to a minimum the danger h l.

of losing control of the ear. the stripping or injuring of gears. andlhe necessity of moving a hand from the steering wheel of the ear.

Second. to provide an automatic gear shitting mechanism wherein the shifting of gears can be accomplished h v a foot or hand lever in connection with a selector mocha nism in the form oi either a series of electric buttons, a switch. a selector lever or a series of push rods.

Third, to provide an automatic gear shifting mechanism that cooperates with a clutch pedal in such a manner. that the clutch must he first disengaged before an of the gears can be shifted, thereby eliminating the clashing and dal'naging of gears so eonnnon in the ordinary method of operation which permits gear shifting while the clutch is engaged, that is, while the engine is connect-edto the transmission mechanism.

The above and otheFobjects are attained by a durable and easily installed mechanism that will be hereinafter specifically described and then claimed.

Reference will now be had to the drawin -wlierein- Figure 1 is a side elevation ofa portion of the mechanism in connection with the clutch; I

Fig. 2 is a plan of a portion of the. mechanism in C()1'1I1G('.ti0ll.\\-'ltl1 a slide gear transmission mechanism;

Sis a side elevation of an electrically actuated clutch. partially broken away and partiall yin section employed for moving a .shaft in one clirection.

Fig. 4 is a similar view of the clutch for moving the; shaft in the o )posite direction;

Fig. I) is a similar view of a gear operating linger or crank;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical connections of the mechanism;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a switch box that can be used in connection with the mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a plan of the same upon a smaller scale;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the same;

Figs. 10 and 11 are plans of detached switch disks;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the moehanical device that can be used in lieu of an elecirieal means;

Fig. 13 is a plan of another mechanical device; v

Fig. 14, is a cross sectional view taken on the line XIVXIV of, Fig. l3,and

Fig. 15 is a similar view taken on the line X\ XV of Fig. 13.

In the drawings there is illustrated a clutch generally (:lesignated A and a sliding gear transmission mechanism generally designated B, these two devices being of the ordinary and well known type used in connection with motor cars. The clutch A is operated through the medium of the tread lever (l and a toggle D, said clutch controlling the connection between transmission mechanism B and the engine of a motor car.

The reference numerals 1 denote the frames of a car and mounted upon these frames or otherwise supported are bearings 2 for a rock shaft or member 3. The rock shaft 3 has two sets of notches 4 and 5 and loosely mounted upon the rock shaft 3, over the notches 4, are the barrels 6 of fingers or cranks 7 and 8. The fingers or cranks are radially disposed and normally held in the rear ot'the shaft 3 and when moved are advancedto the forward side of the shaft 3. as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Theouter ends of the fingers or cranks 7 and R are pii'otally connected as at 9 to ronneetion rods 10. These rods are pivot- -all v connected as at 11 to a triangular shaped coupling 12 which is pivotally connected by a rod 13 to the tread lever employed for controlling the operation of the clutch A. The member 12 and its connections are held in a,

retracted position by a coiled rctractile spring 14 connected to the member 12 and the shaft 3 or a support in proximity thereto. The retractile spring 14 is illustrated as a convenient means of retaining the lingers or cranks 7 and 8 in a retracted position.

Suitably supported in proximity to the barrels 6 of the fingers or cranks 7 and 8 are solenoids 15 and 16 having therores 17 thereof provided with armatures 18 and heads 19. The heads 19 haveconcavc outer faces 20 normally engaged by the heads 21. of spring pressed plungers 22. The plungers 22am slidably mounted in bosses 23 carried by the barrels 6 of the fingers or cranks 7 and 8. The inner ends of the plungers 22 are beveled and are ada 'ited to engage in the. notches 4 of the shaft 3 to lock the fingers or cranks 7 and 8in engagement with said shaft.

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 3 above the notches 5 are gear operating fingers or cranks 24 pivotally connected. as at 2 lo rear-h rods 26 that are in turn connected to rods 37 extending into the hvmsing of the. slide gear transn'lission mechanism 13. The rods 27 have the ordinary bifurcated arms 28 for moving the shiftable gears of the transmission mechanism.

Suitably supported above the fingers or cranks 24 are solenoids 29 and 29". The sole noids 29 have concave ends 30 and extending into the bores 31 of said solenoids are the outer ends of spring pressed plungers 32, which are slidably mounted in boss s 33 carried by the barrels of the fingers or cranks 24. The plunger-s 32 have collars 34 and encircling said plunger-s between the collars 34. and the bosses 33 are coiled compression springs These. springs are adapted to retain the outer ends of the plungers in engagement with the concave ends oi" the sole noids when the fingers or cranks 3 la re shift ed relatively to said solenoids. The plungers are adapted to enter the notches 5 and lock or fix saidfingcrs or cranks relativel to the shaft Reference will now be had to Figs. 6 to 1.1 inclusive illustrating electrical means tor'- controlling the operation of the. solenoids 15,

16, 29 and 29. The electrical means can be in the. form of buttons or switches. As an instance of contact buttons, a series are il lustrated in Fig. 6,'the buttons being in circuit with asuitable source of electrical energy and the solenoids previously mentioneiil. The

electrical connections shown are for operat-" ing an ordinary three forward speed and one reverse type of sliding gear transmission mechanism. The solenoids 29 and 29" control the gear-shifting arms 28, solenoid 15, controls finger or crank 7 which turns'the shaft 3. clockwise, and solenoid 1t, controls finger or crank 8 that turns the shaft 3 counter-clockwise. pressing the reverse button the solenoids 15 a nd 29" are energized and it the tread lover is advam'ed with this ci|' cuit closed, the linger or crank which operates the reverse gear will be engaged with the shaft 3 and said shaft moved in a rlorkwise manner causing the gears to be drawn into position for reverse. The operation oi? the first, second and third speeds is exactly on the same principle and in going from reverse to first. first to second. or second to third in the transmission nierhauism shown, it is only necessary to press the button for the tirst, second or third as desired and advance the tread lever at the same time.

if the solenoids 15' and If) on both of the cranks or lingers 7 and 8' be operated together, and the cranks advanced, only one crank will engage the shaft 3 as only one notch will he opposite its engaging plunger. 'hen the shaft has been turned to the neutral position, the other plunger will come op posite its notch causing the then "l'ree crank to engage the shaft 1. and as both cranks tend to rotate the shaft in. opposite directions, the rotation of the shaft will he stopped at the neutral position. The neutral button shown in Fig. i operates bot-h solenoids 15 and 16 to accomplish this.

A switch box containing contact disks can be used in lieu of the contact buttons, said box comprising a casing 36 having a detachable side plate 37 held .in position by a bolt 38 and a nut The bolt 38 serves functionally as an axis for two insulated disks 4-0 and 41 also as a pivot for the inner resilient end of an arm 42 that extends through a slot 43 provided therefor in the edge of the casing 36. The insulated disks have the peripheries thereof provided With contact plates or blocks 44- corresponding to the contacts shown in Fig. (i. The arm 42 has a spring pressed plunger 45, said plungcr having the inner end thereof provided with a contact head or bar 46 adapted to bridge the disks 4() and 41 and connect contacts of said disks. plunger 45 has a button 47 and encircling said plunger between the button 47 and the end of the arm is a-coiled spring 48 a portion of said spring being, housed by a. handle 49 mounted upon the end of the arm.

The resilient inner end of the arm holds said arm normally in notches 50 provided therefor in one of the walls of the slot 43, whereby said arm will be held against accidental displacement, when adjusted to permit of the plunger 45 being moved to connect proper contacts and complete a circuit through proper solenoids to operate gear shifting fingers or cranks. The electrical connections between the contacts of the disk 41 are best shown-in Figs, wand 11, and the switch box can be conveniently secured to a steering column or located convenient to the operator of the car. Theeontactbuttons The outer end of theshown in Fig. 6 can preferably be embodied in the rim of a steering wheel whereby the gear shifting; mechanism can be oleratcd without the driver removing the hands from the wheel.

A. mechanical device that can be installed in addition to the electrical means and be used in lieu of the electrical means should the same become impaired is shown in Fig. 12. The device compris s a series of hell cranks 51, one of which is illustrated as engaging the armature'of the solenoid and as connected to a rod 52, which can be manually operated.

Another mechanical. device that can be used in lieu of electrical means is illustrated in Figs. 1?), H and 15. A shaft 53 is revolubly mounted upon the frames l inproximity to the shaft The shaft 53 has a series of cams (l and for mechanically mov int the cores of the solenoids 29 and 29*. respectively. The shaft 53 also has a series of cams G6, (l7. (l8 and (39 for mechanically moi-in; the cores of the solenoids l5 and 16. By this arrangement either of the arms 7 or 8 can be connected to the shaft 3 at the same time that either arm 24: is attached to said shaft. a beveled gear wheel meshing with a smaller wheel 56, carried by a shaft 57. The. shaft 57 is gcaredto a shaft 58 that has a crank 59 movable over a quadrant (l0, which is graduated whereby proper movement can be imparted to the shafts ST and 53 to more the desired cams and gear shift in fingers or cranks.

in operation. it'is apparent that when the tread lever is advanced. the clutch A is disengaged or released and at the same time the finger or crank 7 turns clockwise and the finger or crank 8 turns counrer-clock-wise. -By engaging the finger or crank 7 with the shaft througlrthc electrical or mechanical means described, the shaft 3 will turn cloclcivisc when the clutch is released. Similarly. if the finger orc rank R is caused to engage the shaft 3. the shaft will turn c'ountei'-clock-wisc.

The transmission gears are shifted by causing oueof thcfingers or cranks 24 to engage the shaft -3 and rotate the shaft in the requireddirection by means of the tread le'ver previously mentioned. By reference plunger 32 will lift, disengaging the crank .24 from the shaft 3 and locking the crank in engagement with the solenoid 30. When f ifthe crank 24 is in this position, the gears Mounted upon the shaft 53 to Fig. 5. it will be observed that if the. plunger 39. is depressed. so as to engage the actuated by said crank are in the free or neutral position.

After thegcars' have been drawn into mcsh the cranks or lingers 7 and 8 are drawn back to the full line position. shown in Fig. 1. by the spring 1- both freely turning on the shaft 3, the bcvclcd faces of the plungers causing disengagementof the fingers 7 and 8. from the shaft 3.

The operation of drawing out of mesh and into'the neutral position will now be considered. When the. shaft 3 has been turned in one direction and the gear engaged, and the cranks 7 and 8 have been drawn back-to the full line position. as in Fig. 1, the notch 4 in the shaft 3 will be in position to be engaged by the finger or crank 7 or 8 which turns the shaft 3 into proper position to disengage the mesh gears. To withdraw the gear from mesh, it is only necessary to engage the shaft with this particular finger or crank and then advance the crank far enough to bring the gear to the free or neutral position. i

In Fig. 3, the shaft 3 is shown in the position it would take when said shaft has been turned to its maximum countcr-clock wise position, which position it assumes when a gear has been slid forward into full mesh. It is to be noted that if the plunger 2 is caused to engage the shaft 3 and the crank 7 is advanced, the shaft 5% will turn clockwise, thus drawing the meshed gear out'of mesh and into the neutral position. \Yhen the gear reaches this position it will become automatically locked; as abovte described.

Again. in Fig. 4, the shaft 3 is shown in the position it will assume when said shaft has been turned the maximum distance in a clockwise direction. and it is to be noted that the notch a is in position to pernnt e.n gagemcnt of the plunger when it is desired to disengage the gears that have been shifted forward to disengage them:

To conmcnsate for any movement of the solenoids relatively to the shaft 3, or vice versa, the concave faces 20 and 30 have been provided to ride against the ends of the ph'mgcrs 9.2 and 31 or vice 'versa.

It is thought that the utility of my invention will be apparent without further description and while in the drawings there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to be understood that the structural elements are susceptible to such changes as in the size. shape and n'ianner of assemblage as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is 1- In a gear shiftimc mechanism, a transmission mechanism, a shaft, a clutch, electrically controlled means capable of being locked in said shaft to shift gears of said transmission mechanism by a movement of said shaft, said means being operatable with the actuation of said clutch, and means for controlling the opcratiol'i of the first men tioncd means. v

2. In a. gear shifting mechanism, a transmission ,ia-cbanism, a clutch, a shaft, means shiftable into and out of said shaft and opcratablc in unison with said clutch for shifting gears of said transmission mechanism, and means including solenoids for controlling the operation of the first 1nentioned n'ieans.

3. In a gear shifting mechanism, a transmission mechanism, a clutch, a shaft, mecbanical means operatablc in unison with the operation of said clutch for shifting gears of said transmission mechanism, and electrical means including shaft engaging plnugcrs for controlling the first mentioned means. 7

l. In gear shifting mechanism, a. transmi sion mechanism, a nien'ibcr, means for rocking said member. fingers capable, of being locked on said member to shift gears of said transmission mechanism. and means including plungers for locking said fingers.

5. in a gear shifting mechanism. the combination with a pedal control clutch and a slide gear transmissirm mechanism. of a shaft. lingers loosely mounted upon said shaft and movable with the pedal controlling said clutch. spring pressed plungersadapted to lock said lingers relatively to said shaft, and electroaneclmnical means for holding said fingers in engagement with said shaft.

G. In a gear shifting mechanism the combination with a pedal controlled clutch. and :1V gear transmission mechanism. of a shaft, lingers loosely mounted upon said shaft and movable with the pedal controlling said clutch, plungers adapted to lock said lingers relatirclr to said shaft. and electrical means including solenoids and switches for actuatingsaid plungers.

7. In a gear shifting mechanism, the. combination with a clutch, and a gear transmission mechanism, of a shaft. lingers looselymounted upon. said shaft and movable. simi-iltaneously with the operating of said clutch. plungers adapted to lock said fingers relatively to said shaft, and mechanical means including cams for actuating said plnngers.

R. In a gear shifting mechanism, the com bination. with a clutch. and a gear transmission mechanisn'l, of a. shaft, fingers loosely mounted upon said shaft and movable with said clutch, plungcrs adapted to lock said lingers relatively to said shaft. solenoids adapted to beenergizcd to lock said fingers on said shaft, and means carried by said solenoids to compensate for any move-- ment of said shaft relatively to sa d sole-. nolds.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of a transmission mechanism, a member carrying means for meshing the transmission mechanism gears, radially shiftable and electrically actuated means con trolling the operation of said gear meshing. means, and means for actuating said member.

10. The combination of a transmission mechanism, a clutch, a member carrying electrically controlled means for n'leshingthe transmission mechanism gears and means shiftable in and out of said member for actuating said member simultaneously with the operation of said clutch.

11. The. combination of": mechanism. a clutch. a member carrying electrically controlled disengagcable means shiftablc in and out of said member for meshing the transmission mechanism gears and means for actuating said membe' auto matically with the operation of the clutch.

IL. The combination of a transmission mechanism. a clutch. a member carrying means for meshing the transmission mechanism gears. electrical means for shifting the lirst said mains into the member and means shiftablc into and out of said member for actuating said member.

13. In a gear shifting mechanism. a clutch, a transmission mechanism. fingers adapted to mesh gears of salt: transmission mechanism and electricall controlled means adapted to lock said fingers whereby the operation of said clutch causes said fingers to mesh gears of said transmission mechanism.

H. The combination of a transmission mechanisn'i, a member carrying disengageablc means for meshing the. transmission mechanism gears, disengageable means for actuating said member, and a mechanically operated deriee for controlling the engagement of these d-isengageable means with said member.

15. The combination of a transmission mechanism, a member carrying disengageable. means for meshing the transmission mechanism gears. disengageablc means for actuating said member, and both mechanical and electrical devices for controlling the en"- gagcmcnt of the discngageable means with said member.

16. In a gear shiftingmechanism, the combination of a. transmission mechanism, a clutch. a member carrying disengageable means. for shifting the transmission gears, and disengageablc means for moving said member simultaneously with the operation of said clutch.

17. Ina gear/ shifting mechanism, the

. and disengageable means whereby said memher may be waved to pm'mib operation of the t'luluh \YiLhuuL shifting Hm gum-s.

15. In a gear shifting meclnulism. H10 wmMlmHun of :1 transmission lnmhnnism, n clutcln 1x mulnbur marrying rfiisungagcublea means for :jhifbing the tltllllilklixiSiUU gears and (ling-nmgjonlalu means fur moving said. 1I1l.H\b'-il in vilhur dimctiem as required in shifting the germ.

,I,$} In a gem.- shii'ting mechanism, the, combination 01' n tnmsmissiun mechanism, u clutch, a nwmber mrpyjng disengageuble nurans for shifting the transmission gears, and disvngngeuble mans operating simultanuuusl v with said clutch for moving said nn-mlwr in oitlm' dirvction as required in shifting the gears.

In tl'vHt llllflfiy whereof 1 Mil); my signature in pres-emu of twu witnesses.

FRANCIS S. DENN EEN.

W h nusses Lnwm H. Flmnmms, ANNA M. home. 

